On January 14, shortly after 5 p.m. the Waldo County Communications Center received a report from a man reporting that he had been robbed at a Bog Road home in Jackson. 

Deputies from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office began investigating, interviewing the man as well as the suspects involved. They learned that the victim, 27, had been invited to the Bog Road residence by a former girlfriend, according to a news release from the Waldo County Sheriff’s Office. Once at the residence the victim was approached by three males identified as Joseph Bella, 25, of Auburn, Charles Haskins, 22, of Jackson, and Samuel Lear, 21, of Jackson.  

 During the confrontation one of the males displayed a knife and another a handgun, police said.

“It was demanded that the victim turn over his wallet and empty his pockets,” the release said. “The victim complied with the orders and was then physically assaulted by the three men. The victim was repeatedly punched by the three men. The victim was able to leave the residence and call for law enforcement response. A witness to the assault was told by the three men that he would also be assaulted if he contacted law enforcement.”

Joseph Bella, Charles Haskins and Samuel Lear were all charged with Robbery, Class A, Assault, Class D and Criminal Threatening, Class D. Bail was set at $5,000 cash on each individual and all three remain in custody.